Characteristics And Applicable Usage Methods Of Straight Shank Keyway Milling Cutters

The straight shank keyway milling cutter has a shape similar to an end mill, but it differs in that it has only two helical cutting edges on the periphery, with the end cutting edges extending to the center, resembling both an end mill and a drill bit. Therefore, when milling blind keyways, a moderate axial feed can be applied. It is primarily used for machining rounded head closed keyways, and multiple vertical and longitudinal feeds are required to complete the keyway machining process.
National standards stipulate that the diameter of straight-shank keyway milling cutters is d=2~22mm, while the diameter of tapered-shank keyway precision milling cutters is d=14~50mm. The diameter tolerance for keyway milling cutters includes two types: e8 and d8. The peripheral cutting edge of the keyway milling cutter wears only over a short length near the end face. During regrinding, only the end face cutting edge needs sharpening, ensuring the milling cutter diameter remains unchanged after regrinding.
Usage of Straight Shank Keyway Milling Cutter
1) For aluminum plate cutting and processing, it is recommended to use a single-fluted aluminum milling cutter. This ensures no tool sticking during the process, with fast speed and high efficiency.
2) For precision small relief carving, a round-edged engraving tool is recommended.
3) For acrylic cutting and processing, it is recommended to use a single-flute spiral milling cutter. Its advantages include smokeless and odorless operation, fast speed, high efficiency, non-sticking chips, and true environmental friendliness. The unique manufacturing process ensures that the acrylic does not crack during cutting, producing extremely fine tool marks (or even no tool marks) with a smooth and flat surface. To achieve a frosted finish on the processed surface, a double-flute or triple-flute spiral milling cutter is recommended.
4) For cutting and processing particleboard, it is recommended to use a double-fluted large chip-clearing spiral milling cutter. This tool features two high-capacity chip-clearing grooves and a double-fluted design, which ensures excellent chip removal while maintaining good tool balance. When machining high-density particleboard, it exhibits characteristics such as no blackening, no smoke generation, and long service life.
5) For large deep relief processing of cork, particleboard, raw wood, PVC, and acrylic, it is recommended to use a single-flute spiral ball nose end mill.
6) The upper and lower surfaces are processed without burrs, and single-fluted or double-fluted up-and-down milling cutters are recommended for cutting.
7) Diamond engraving knives are recommended for acrylic mirror engraving processing.
8) For rough machining of particleboard, the use of multi-fluted milling cutters is recommended.
9) For high-density boards and solid wood, it is recommended to use a bevel-toothed milling cutter.
10) For multi-layer boards and plywood processing, it is recommended to use a double-flute straight-fluted end mill.
11) The cutting effect of the lower cutter ensures a burr-free upper surface on the processed product, preventing warping during machining.